If you are struggling with addiction, you may feel overwhelmed. If you add mental health issues to the mix, you can find yourself in a never-ending battle. This is the reality for millions of people dealing with concurring mental health. Despite how common dual diagnosis is, treatment facilities often separate addiction and mental health care. This leaves people to figure things out on their own.
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 50% of people with addiction also have a mental health disorder. Without proper addiction and mental health treatment, many people fall through the cracks. They might get help for one condition while the other goes untreated. The result is often relapse, frustration, and a sense of failure.
At American Treatment Network, we offer dual diagnosis treatment. We address addiction and mental health at the same time, providing a real chance at long-term recovery.
What Is Dual Diagnosis and Why Does It Matter?
Consider someone struggling with anxiety. They start drinking to calm their nerves, but over time, they need more alcohol to feel the same relief. Eventually, they realize they’re dependent on it. This is an example of dual diagnosis, where a mental health disorder (like anxiety) and a substance use disorder (like alcohol dependence) happen together. The two conditions feed into each other, thus the need for dual diagnosis treatment.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
When someone struggles with both mental health and substance use, it’s rarely a coincidence. Certain mental health conditions make people more vulnerable to addiction. Addiction is usually a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
Below are some of the most common co-occurring disorders seen in dual diagnosis treatment:
- Depression: Feeling hopeless or numb can push people to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. A person might start drinking every night to “take the edge off.” However, they may soon find themselves unable to function without it.
- Anxiety Disorders: Chronic worry, panic attacks, or social anxiety can make substance use feel like an escape. Many people turn to alcohol before social situations or rely on Xanax without a prescription to calm their nerves.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: PTSD is often seen in veterans, abuse survivors, or those who’ve experienced extreme trauma. Nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance can lead people to misuse opioids or alcohol in an attempt to forget painful memories.
- Bipolar Disorder: The extreme highs and lows of this condition can drive risky behaviors. Someone in a manic phase might binge on alcohol or drugs, while depressive episodes leave them feeling powerless to stop.
- Schizophrenia: This disorder can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. Some individuals turn to marijuana, meth, or other substances to quiet the voices in their heads. However, this often worsens symptoms over time.
The Cycle of Addiction and Mental Illness
One of the biggest challenges with mental health and substance abuse is the way one problem can fuel the other. Someone with severe anxiety might take prescription medication but then start misusing it.
On the other hand, a person struggling with alcoholism might develop depression due to the chemical effects of alcohol on the brain. Without dual diagnosis treatment, breaking this cycle is incredibly difficult.
The Problem With Traditional Addiction or Mental Health Treatment Alone
Traditional rehab centers often focus only on addiction. Mental health clinics focus only on psychiatric disorders. However, what happens when someone has both? Unfortunately, many people are told they need to get their addiction under control before they can receive mental health treatment, or vice versa. This separation makes recovery harder and increases the risk of relapse.
Despite the clear need for dual diagnosis treatment, only 18% of addiction treatment programs and 9% of mental health programs in the U.S. offer fully integrated care. This means most people seeking help for co-occurring disorders have to bounce between different providers, often without coordination between them.
Single-focus treatment models lead to high relapse rates. For example, a person recovering from opioid addiction may start treatment at a rehab facility. But if their underlying PTSD isn’t addressed, they may eventually relapse as a way to cope with trauma. This is why it is vital to treat both conditions together.
How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Works?
The best dual diagnosis treatment programs don’t just focus on quitting drugs or managing mental health symptoms. They take a comprehensive approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously. A comprehensive approach should integrate therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to support recovery.
Behavioral Therapies in Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Therapy is a crucial part of dual diagnosis treatment. Different therapeutic approaches are used to help individuals develop healthier coping skills, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT helps identify negative thought patterns that contribute to substance use.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: DBT focuses on emotional regulation and reducing impulsive behaviors.
- Motivational Interviewing: Encourages individuals to set personal recovery goals and stay motivated.
For many struggling with addiction, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plays a critical role in recovery. Medications like Vivitrol and Suboxone help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to focus on therapy and long-term healing.
Why is a Dual Diagnosis Facility the Best Option?
A facility specializing in dual diagnosis treatment is better equipped to handle the complexities of both mental health and addiction. This means:
- Personalized treatment plans are based on an individual’s specific needs.
- Lower relapse rates by treating the root cause of addiction.
- More support through therapy, medication, and holistic care.
At American Treatment Network, we provide:
- Outpatient addiction treatment.
- Behavioral therapy for addiction that includes CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing.
- Telehealth services for patients to get support from anywhere.
Long-Term Support and Recovery
Recovery doesn’t end when treatment stops. Ongoing therapy, medication management, and relapse prevention strategies help individuals stay on track.
Community Support Matters
We believe in lifetime support. We offer an Alumni Support Group where individuals can connect with others in recovery, share experiences, and encourage one another.
Family Involvement
Addiction affects families, too. That’s why family involvement in dual diagnosis treatment is a key part of recovery at American Treatment Network. When families are educated and involved, recovery outcomes improve.
It’s Time to Take Control of Your Recovery
Recovery is possible, but it takes the right approach. Dual diagnosis treatment gives people the best chance at overcoming both addiction and mental health struggles by addressing them together.
At American Treatment Network, we offer integrated addiction treatment designed to support long-term recovery. Whether you need outpatient addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or behavioral therapy for addiction, we’re here to help. Contact us today and take the first step toward healing.
